Limited range lethal ammunition

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a projectile that is designed to be lethal to an average human for a predetermined time or a distance after being fired and then rendered less than lethal. The projectile can include a detonating charge and optionally a fuze wherein the detonating charge fragments the projectile to render the projectile less than lethal. The projectile can also include a mechanism to disable the fragmentation of the projectile after it strikes a target.

BACKGROUND

The present invention pertains to ammunition that is lethal for a predetermined limited distance or time.

Currently, projectiles that are commonly available to be fired from guns and cannons against human targets can be generally categorized as being lethal or less than lethal. Other uncommon projectiles are available, but are generally of a highly specialized type such as projectiles with electronic payloads, illumination projectiles, tracers, or others. The demand for less than lethal ammunition is becoming more prominent by police forces, military forces, and common citizens alike. Less than lethal ammunition is ammunition that is less likely to kill a living human target than are more traditional lethal weapons. However, there are several instances where projectiles are needed that are lethal for a given time or range and then become less than lethal to avoid collateral damage to unintended targets.

As previously stated, most current projectiles are generally designed to be only lethal or only non-lethal after being fired. Many different types of lethal projectiles are available. In small arms, examples include full metal jacket, hollow point, sabot, incendiary, and even high explosive rounds. Each type of projectile is designed to be more effective against a specific target set. Larger caliber projectiles can be designed with even more variation. Large caliber projectiles generally include the same types of projectiles as small arms, but additionally include chemical, white phosphorus, HEAT (High-Explosive, Anti-Tank), and other variants such as SAPHEI (Semi-Armor Piercing, High Explosive, Incendiary). Many of these larger caliber projectiles can be outfitted with a variety of fuzes including point detonation, timed, and active radar. Small caliber projectiles are generally defined as projectiles that have a diameter less than thirteen and a half millimeters (such as a 0.50 caliber rounds and below) and are generally fired from a weapon that can be transported by a person or two people. Large caliber projectiles are generally fired from weapon systems that require mechanical aids to be transported and/or fired. Examples of these systems include artillery, tanks, naval guns, etc.

Less than lethal projectiles also come in many variations. For example, there currently exist bean bag projectiles, rubber bullets, pepper rounds, and other chemical rounds. A still further type of ammunition exists specifically for use on target ranges. For example, there are large caliber projectiles that are designed to break apart in midair in order to limit their range and break apart into relatively large sections. There are also small caliber flechette rounds that are designed to break apart into small pieces upon impact with a solid surface. These rounds are generally designed to be used in target ranges or, in the case of flechette rounds, for home defense. When used for home defense, the rounds are designed to avoid inadvertent collateral damage by breaking apart into many small pieces when they strike a wall or other such surface instead of penetrating the wall and potentially impacting an innocent bystander.

The projectiles described above fill a certain roll, whether being designed to eliminate a specific target, to dissuade or injure a target, or to help prevent rounds from leaving a training or residential area. However, the rounds described above do not begin their trajectory in a lethal form to later transition to a less than lethal form after a predefined time or distance after being fired so as to control collateral damage to unintended targets. US Patent application 2002/0152914 discloses a projectile that attempts such a configuration with an internal cavity containing a combustion charge activated by a fuze. After leaving a barrel, the fuze is ignited via the ignition of the propellant used to propel the projectile. After the combustion charge is activated, it burns at high temperature to liquefy the projectile and therefore render it less than lethal. However, this round has several disadvantages. The heat that the charge generates creates hazards in itself. The heated projectile can burn a target, especially if the charge is ignited after the round penetrates a human target. Additionally, the rounds can create fire hazards. The initial lethality of the round can also be compromised as the internal cavity for the combustion charge is filled with low density material. The composition of the round must be carefully selected as well to insure that it liquefies at a desirable temperature. Finally, the storage parameters of this round are not ideal as they must be stored to avoid high temperatures in order not to degrade the round.

Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a fragmenting lethal projectile that, if it does not earlier impact an object, is lethal for a predetermined time or distance after being fired and then fragments into substantially solid pieces that are each less than lethal to an average human. The attributes of the fragments that make them less than lethal can be expressed in different ways. The fragments can impart an energy density of no more than ten J/cm² into an impact area, or even six J/cm². The mass of each projectile can be less than five grains, two grains, or even one grain. Alternatively, the fragments on average can be dictated by the equation ln(M*d)>ln(m*v²−7.5 where M=a mass of 45 kg, d=the largest cross sectional dimension of said piece in cm, m=the mass of said piece in g, and v=the velocity of said piece in m/s.

The number of fragments that the projectile fragments into can preferably be greater than one hundred or more preferably greater than five hundred. The number of pieces can be defined per millimeter diameter of the projectile prior to fragmentation. The projectile can preferably fragment into ten or more preferably even thirty fragments per millimeter of pre-fragmentation diameter.

The projectile can further include a detonating charge. A sleeve can be included which surrounds and is moveable with respect to the detonating charge. The detonating charge can be initiated by a fuze (sometimes spelled “fuse”). The fuze can be initiated by the combustion of propellant used to propel the projectile. Alternatively, the fuze can be initiated by the acceleration of the projectile, preferably at greater than ten thousand g.

The projectile can additionally include a mechanism to prevent the fragmentation of the projectile after it strikes a solid. This mechanism can be the deformation of the projectile itself. The projectile can have a diameter of less than thirteen and a half millimeters. The projectile can alternatively include fracture initiating features.

An alternate example of the projectile uses a solvent in place of the detonating charge. The body of the projectile can then optionally include a bonding agent that dissolves when in contact with the solvent. The reaction between the bonding agent and solvent can be initiated by a fuze.

Another alternate example projectile includes a first mechanism activated after the projectile is fired if the projectile does not strike an object within a predetermined time or distance and that substantially precludes such activation if the projectile strikes an object before said predetermined time or distance. The projectile can also have a casing and be configured and arranged to be fired from a barrel by the activation of propellant that is substantially consumed when the projectile leaves the barrel.

Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile having an internal detonating charge to render the projectile less than lethal.

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of an alternative arrangement to the fragmentation-neutralizing feature illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of a third alternative arrangement to the fragmentation-neutralizing feature illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view of a fourth alternative arrangement to the fragmentation-neutralizing feature illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2D illustrates the disk 27 of FIG. 2A

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth alternative example of a projectile having an internal solvent to render the projectile less than lethal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example projectile 10 having a detonating charge 12 and a fuze 14. The projectile can optionally be connected to a shell casing 28 that contains propellant 30. Such a configuration is common for small arms projectiles and less common for large caliber projectiles. The projectile 10, as illustrated, includes fracture initiating features 26 such that when the detonating charge 12 explodes, the body 24 of the projectile fragments into smaller pieces. The size and dispersions pattern of these pieces can be controlled by the configuration of these fracture initiating features 26. These fracture initiating features 26 can take the form of scored material, perforations, open spaces, adjacent pieces of, or imbedded materials, as examples. For example, ceramic particles or sections can be imbedded in the body 24 of the projectile. Alternatively, the body 24 can be comprised of stacked sections of metallic material.

The projectile 10 can also include a baseplate 17 with an aperture 16. The baseplate 17 can further be joined to an external housing 25. The housing 25 can aid in containing the body 24 and the fracture initiating feature 26, if, for example, the body is formed from loosely fitting discs or other structures. In this example, the fuze 14 is a chemical fuze that is initiating by the combustion of propellant 30 used to fire the projectile. The aperture 16 allows the gasified propellant to make contact with the fuze 14 to initiate it. The fuze 14 is designed such that it initiates the detonating charge 12 a predetermined time after the fuze 14 is initiated. Fuzes can be chemical based, as is illustrated, inertia fuzes, or other. If inertia fuzes are utilized, a large acceleration force on the projectile can be applied to initiate the fuze in order to avoid inadvertent detonation of the projectile. The fuze can also be electronic and the fuze can be arranged such that it specifies a time or distance for which the detonating charge 12 is initiated. For example, for range the fuze can include a receiver (not shown) to detect an electronic signal from its firing source. The fuze then detonates either after it no longer receives the signal or when it receives a command to detonate based upon time or distance in flight. Alternatively, the fuze can detect that the projectile has travelled a certain distance and then initiate the detonating charge 12. The projectile can also include a sealing cap 18 to allow the insertion of the fuze 14 and detonating charge 12 during assembly of the projectile 10.

The detonation of the projectile is engineered such that the fragments of the projectile are less than lethal to an average human. Therefore, the projectile can be fired in a lethal state for a predetermined time or range. Outside of this time or range, the projectile is rendered less than lethal to avoid inadvertent fatalities of innocent bystanders. For example, if used by a police officer chasing a criminal, projectiles that miss the intended target of the criminal will be rendered less than lethal after a time or range, decreasing the probability of a bystander being injured and/or killed by the projectile.

Several criteria can be used to evaluated the lethality of a projectile. The mass of the projectile as well as its velocity are important contributors to the projectile's lethality. However, the size of cavitation that a projectile can create as it travels through flesh also can contribute to the projectile's lethality. It has been found that kinetic energy density is one way of defining lethality. Specifically it is believed that an energy density of ten J/cm² will compromise average human skin and six J/cm² will compromise an average human cornea. One can define a correlation between the mass of the human target, the diameter of the projectile, the mass of the projectile, and the velocity of the projectile. Specifically, a projectile conforming to the equation ln(M*d)>ln(m*v²)−7.5 has been found to be less than lethal, where M=the mass of the target in kg, d=the diamter of the projectile in mm, m= the mass of the projecitle in g, and v=the the velocity of the round in m/s.

A projectile with lower mass has less momentum and kinetic energy that a similar projectile traveling at the same velocity. Therefore, a projectile that can be fractured into smaller pieces can become less lethal, not only because the mass of each piece is much smaller, but because the smaller particles may slow more rapidly. Conversely, a projectile that is fractured into more pieces can quickly become less lethal. However, these statement are accurate so long as the fragments themselves are not large enough to have enough kinetic energy and/or momentum to pierce human skin and/or cause significant damage or death to a human target. Many current projectiles such as high explosive artillery and previous shrapnel artillery rounds are examples where the projectile is designed to fragment into pieces large enough to be lethal to intended targets.

Advantageously, the projectile disclosed is designed to avoid fragmentation if it strikes a target. This is beneficial, for example, if the round strikes a human that was an intended target. In such an instance, it can be undesirable for the detonating charge to detonate within the human. Therefore, several mechanisms have been disclosed to prevent this occurrence. One is illustrated in FIG. 1 as concentric cylinders 32 and 22. In this example, the inner cylinder 22 is held by a loose friction fit within outer cylinder 32. Therefore, the inner cylinder 22 can move relative to the outer cylinder 32 (the inner cylinder 22 can slide within the outer cylinder 32). Additionally, the detonating charge 12 can be joined to the inner cylinder 22 such that they move as a single unit. When the round is fired, the force of the accelerating projectile 10 can cause the inner cylinder 22 and detonating charge 12 rearward such that the detonating charge 12 contacts the fuze 14. When the projectile 10 strikes a solid surface, the detonating charge 12 slides forward, leaving an air gap 13 between the detonating charge and the fuze 14. The air gap can serve to prevent the fuze from being able to initiate the detonating charge 12 to detonate. Furthermore, the impact of the projectile 10 and the resulting deformation of the projectile 10 can aid in the separation of the fuze 14 from the detonating charge 12.

An alternative detonation preventing mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A illustrates the body of the projectile being formed without the sealing cap 18. Instead, the body 24 of the projectile is formed such that when the projectile 10 strikes a solid surface, the projectile deforms and renders the detonating charge inert. In this example, the body is configured to form a point 25 that interacts with a pushrod 23. The pushrod can then interact with a disk 27. Disk 27 can be perforated or, as illustrated in FIG. 2D, have spokes 51 to connect the pushrod 23 to the rim 50 of the disc 27. The perforations or openings 51 in the disc allow the fuze 14 to initiate the detonation of the detonating charge 12 during normal operation. However, when the projectile 10 strikes a solid surface prior to the fuze 14 initiating, the pushrod 23 and disc 23 can be configured relative to the forward part of the projectile, to eject the fuze 14 rearward such that it can no longer initiate the detonating charge 12.

FIG. 2B illustrates yet another example projectile 10. In this example, the fuze 14 extends longitudinally through the body 26 of the projectile 10. The detonating charge 12 also extends longitudinally through the body 26 of the projectile and can surround the fuze 14. The fuze 14 and detonating charge 12 can be configured and arranged such that the fuze 14 contacts the detonating charge via initiation chamber 60. The initiation chamber 60 in this example enables physical interaction between the fuze and the detonating chamber to initiate the detonation of the detonating charge 12. Locating the initiation chamber 60 on the front of the bullet enables the defusing of the charge if the round strikes a solid surface. The initiation chamber 60 can deform or otherwise be rendered inoperable by the impact of the projectile 10, inhibiting the detonation of the detonating charge 12.

FIG. 2C illustrates a variation of the projectile of FIG. 2B. In this example, the fuze 14 is locating towards the exterior of the projectile 10. The fuze 14 can be located within channels 62 along the surface 63 of the projectile. The surface 63 can be a thin metallic or other covering around the body of the projectile. The channels 62 can extend through one or multiple paths through the surface 63 of the projectile. Alternatively, the channels 62 can extend through the body 24 of the projectile. The initiation chamber 64 in this example functions similarly the initiation chamber 60 of FIG. 2B. Advantageously, the greater separation of the fuze 14 from the detonating charge 12 can increase the probability that the projectile 10 will be defused if it strikes a solid surface prematurely by decreasing the probability that the fuze 14 will make contact with the detonating charge 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example projectile. The projectile in this illustration 40 includes a solvent 44 in a container 45 and a fuze 42. The fuze 42 acts similarly to the fuze 14 previously described in that upon reaching the container 45, it consumes the container 45, releasing the solvent to permeate channels 48 to more evenly be distributed to improve the dispersion of the solvent through the projectile 46 material. In this projectile, the fuze acts on container 45 within the projectile 46 to consume the container 45, thereby releasing the solvent to flow into pathways to dissolve binding agents so that the projectile is converted into numerous smaller fragments. This can be accomplished through the addition of a binding agent to the body of the projectile 46 which the solvent rapidly dissolves. Optionally wetting agents can be included along channels 48 to aid in the dispersion of the solvent. The channels 48 can be designed to alter the fragmentation pattern of the projectile 46 or to improve the contact between the solvent 44 and the projectile 46 after the fuze 42 has initiated the dispersion or activation of the solvent 44 by consuming container 45. Additionally, the projectile 46 can also include features (not shown) analogous to those shown in earlier FIGS. to prevent the dispersion or activation of the solvent 44 after it strikes a solid surface.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein. 

1. A limited range fragmenting lethal projectile, comprising a projectile that if it does not earlier impact an object, fragments into substantially solid pieces a predetermined time or a predetermined distance after being fired and each of said pieces imparts an energy density of no more than ten J/cm² into an impact area.
 2. The projectile of claim 1 wherein said energy density is no more than six J/cm².
 3. A limited range fragmenting lethal projectile, comprising a projectile that if it does not earlier impact an object, fragments into substantially solid pieces a predetermined time or a distance after being fired and said pieces are each less than lethal to an average adult human.
 4. A limited range fragmenting lethal projectile, comprising a projectile that if it does not earlier impact an object, fragments into substantially solid pieces a predetermined time or distance after being fired and said pieces have an average mass of less than five grains.
 5. The projectile of claim 4 wherein each piece has a mass of less than five grains.
 6. The projectile of claim 4 wherein said pieces have an average mass of less than two grains.
 7. The projectile of claim 6 wherein said pieces have an average mass of less than one grain.
 8. A limited range fragmenting lethal projectile, comprising a projectile that if it does not earlier impact an object, fragments into substantially solid pieces a predetermined time or a distance after being fired and each of said pieces are on average dictated by the equation ln(M*d)>ln(m*v²)−7.5; wherein: M=a mass of 45 kg, d=the largest cross sectional dimension of said piece in cm, m=the mass of said piece in g, and v=the velocity of said piece in m/s.
 9. A limited range fragmenting lethal projectile, comprising a projectile that if it does not earlier impact an object, fragments into at least one hundred substantially solid pieces a predetermined time or distance after being fired.
 10. The projectile of claim 9 wherein the projectile fragments into at least five hundred substantially solid pieces.
 11. The projectile of claim 9 wherein the projectile fragments into at least ten substantially solid pieces for each millimeter of diameter of said projectile prior to its fragmentation.
 12. The projectile of claim 11 wherein the projectile fragments into at least thirty substantially solid pieces for each millimeter of diameter of said projectile prior to its fragmentation.
 13. The projectile of claim 1, 3, 4, 8, or 9 wherein said projectile further comprises a detonating charge.
 14. The projectile of claim 13 further comprising a fuze configured and arranged to initiate said detonating charge.
 15. The projectile of claim 14 wherein said fuze is initiated via the combustion of propellant used to propel said projectile.
 16. The projectile of claim 14 wherein said fuze is initiated via the acceleration of said projectile at greater than ten thousand g.
 17. The projectile of claim 1, 3, 4, 8, or 9 further comprising a mechanism to prevent the fragmentation after said projectile strikes a solid surface.
 18. The projectile of claim 17 wherein said mechanism is the deformation of said projectile after said projectile strikes a solid surface.
 19. The projectile of claim 17 wherein said mechanism ejects a fuze from said projectile after said projectile impacts said solid surface.
 20. The projectile of claim 17 wherein said mechanism inhibits the interaction of a fuze with a detonating charge.
 21. The projectile of claim 1, 3, 4, 8, or 9 wherein said projectile's diameter is less than thirteen and a half millimeters.
 22. The projectile of claim 1, 3, 4, 8, or 9 wherein said projectile further comprises fracture initiating features.
 23. A limited range lethal projectile with solvent, comprising a projectile and a solvent; wherein said projectile is lethal at a range after fired from a gun and nonlethal beyond said range.
 24. The projectile of claim 23 wherein the projectile further comprising a bonding agent wherein said solvent dissolves said bonding agent to render said projectile nonlethal.
 25. The projectile of claim 24 further comprising a fuze configured and arranged to initiate said dissolution of said bonding agent.
 26. A limited range nonlethal projectile, comprising: a base having an aperture, a fuze that is initiated by contact with gasified propellant that travels through said aperture, a detonating charge whose detonation is triggered by said fuze, a member attached to said base and partially surrounding said detonating charge; wherein the detonation of said detonating charge fragments said member into pieces having average mass of less than two grains.
 27. A limited range projectile comprising: A first mechanism activated after the projectile is fired if the projectile does not strike an object within a predetermined time or distance and that substantially precludes such activation if the projectile strikes an object before said predetermined time or distance.
 28. The projectile of claim 27 wherein the projectile is configured and arranged to be fired from a barrel by the activation of propellant that is substantially consumed when the projectile leaves the barrel.
 29. The projectile of claim 28 additionally comprising a casing containing propellant adjacent said projectile. 